Horticulturae | Interview with Dr. Umberto Bernardo—Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Insect Pest Management”

Name: Dr. Umberto Bernardo

Affiliation: CNR, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, 80055 Portici, Italy

The following is a short interview with Dr. Umberto Bernardo:

1. What developments in your field of expertise excite you currently?
I find three key developments in the field of insect pest management particularly exciting at the moment.
First, the increasing presence of invasive species in Europe is a pressing and fascinating challenge. This phenomenon is largely driven by two factors: the rapid increase in international trade and the movement of passengers, along with their luggage, and the significant impact of climate change. These factors are altering climatic conditions and, consequently, the relationships between plants, phytophagous species, and their antagonists. All this is creating the need for profound changes in integrated pest management across several ecosystems.
Second, there is growing recognition that a holistic approach to studying the holobiont insect—considering the insect and its associated microbiota as an integrated unit—is essential. Metagenomic studies on insect microbiota hold immense potential, especially in efforts to manipulate microbial communities to address pest management challenges effectively.
Third, the ongoing and progressive reduction in chemical pesticides available for agricultural use is creating significant challenges. This reduction is affecting the management of both established pests, which are becoming harder to control, and secondary pests, which are emerging as primary threats due to the absence of broad-spectrum chemical interventions. These dynamics are driving the continuous evolution of integrated pest management protocols, often presenting nearly insolvable defense challenges.

2. What topics in your field of expertise do you believe will gain importance in the future?
The topics I highlighted above will undoubtedly continue to gain prominence. However, I believe another area poised for significant growth is the genetic manipulation of plants. While this field currently faces considerable regulatory restrictions, I anticipate a breakthrough in acceptance as science progresses. Ethical considerations will need to be thoroughly evaluated, but history shows that scientific innovation often finds a way forward despite regulatory barriers. Advances in this area could provide transformative solutions to the challenges faced in pest management.

3. The journal is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. What is your vision for its development?
The growth of MDPI journals, including Horticulturae, has reshaped the publishing landscape. Established publishers and their influential networks have, at times, sought to undermine newer journals by questioning their credibility, often irrespective of the quality of the manuscripts published. Unfortunately, this has been exacerbated by instances where special issues, managed by less-experienced editors, resulted in the publication of subpar scientific studies, sometimes favoring personal connections over merit.
To safeguard and enhance the reputation of Horticolturae, it is essential to prioritize quality control. Reducing the number of special issues and ensuring that experienced editors make the final decisions on publications are critical steps. Over time, these measures will elevate the quality of published papers and strengthen the position of the journal within the scientific community.

4. What do you think about the development of open access in the publishing field?
I am strongly in favor of open access, as it democratizes access to knowledge and accelerates scientific progress. However, a significant barrier remains: many funding agencies do not allocate resources for open-access publishing. To address this, I believe a European regulation should mandate that funding bodies reserve a portion of their grants specifically for open-access publishing. Such a policy would ensure that researchers can share their findings widely without financial constraints.

5. What advice would you offer to young researchers?
My advice to young researchers is to strive for independence and avoid following a leader without developing their skills and expertise. It is essential to learn all aspects of research—from securing funding and writing proposals to executing projects, analyzing data, and drafting manuscripts. Too often, I see promising individuals advancing in their careers within teams led by a dominant leader, suppressing their creativity to gain approval. These researchers often fade into obscurity when their leader retires because they lack the ability to work independently. This type of dependence is both limiting and counterproductive. Focus on producing innovative and high-quality work, as impactful research.